Aren't these lovely? Even in the autumn plumage, I think I might be able to ID one. And how amazing to know what a little appropriate "pishing" can do.
http://php.democratandchronicle.com/blog/birds/?p=3574(Guess I am particularly fascinated by them because we have only one (1) Sparrow species here: House Sparrow - do you call them English Sparrows? Same critter. And maybe not a NA native?)
(Haha! Spell check acccepted "pishing".)
White-throated Sparrows are among the few bright spots of my Kentucky backyard in winter! And yes, we have House Sparrows, and call them House Sparrows, and they're imports from England. They're considered very damaging to native bird populations since they are now abundant, very aggressive, and out-compete our native cavity nesters (same story with European Starlings). I understand that the population in Europe is decreasing rather drastically; I wish we could round them up and send them back to you!
We have gazillions of sparrow species, which frustrate me to no end, all being LBJs!